Rivendellaudio/docs/opsguide/rdcartslots.xml

<chapter xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" xml:id="chapter.rdcartslots">
  <title>Playing Audio with RDCartSlots</title>
  <sect1 xml:id="sect.rdcartslots.overview">
    <title>Overview</title>
    <para>
      RDCartSlots is a Rivendell module designed for use in fast-paced
      live or &quot;live-assist&quot; environments, with facilities for
      quickly locating carts and getting them on the air.
    </para>
    <para>
      <mediaobject>
	<imageobject>
	  <imagedata align="center" fileref="rdcartslots.rdcartslots_screenshot.png" scale="45"/>
	</imageobject>
	<caption>
	  <para>The RDCartSlots Main Window</para>
	</caption>
      </mediaobject>
    </para>
    <para>
      RDCartSlots can be configured to display one or more
      <emphasis>slots</emphasis>,
      each of which can be thought of as an independent audio player. In
      its default <computeroutput>Cart Deck</computeroutput> mode, a slot
      behaves much like a traditional analog &quot;cart deck&quot;; with the
      ability for the user to load and play carts from the Rivendell library.
      <computeroutput>Breakaway</computeroutput> mode allows the slot
      to be used for automated play-out and replacement of upstream content
      by means of the &quot;Execute Breakaway&quot; [<userinput>DX</userinput>]
      RML.
    </para>
  </sect1>
  <sect1 xml:id="sect.rdcartslots.setting_the_slot_options">
    <title>Setting the Slot Options</title>
    <para>
      The options for a particular slot, including its mode, can be set
      by touch its <computeroutput>Options</computeroutput> button,
      bringing  up the Edit Slot Options dialog.
    </para>
    <mediaobject>
      <imageobject>
	<imagedata align="center" fileref="rdcartslots.rdcartslots.edit_slot_options_dialog.png" scale="70"/>
      </imageobject>
      <caption>
	<para>The Edit Slot Options Dialog</para>
      </caption>
    </mediaobject>
    <para>
      The slot mode is set by selecting either
      <computeroutput>Cart Deck</computeroutput> or
      <computeroutput>Breakaway</computeroutput> from the
      <computeroutput>Slot Mode:</computeroutput> dropdown box.
    </para>
    <sect2 xml:id="sect.rdcartslots.cart_deck_slot_options">
      <title>Cart Deck Slot Options</title>
      <para>
	When set for <computeroutput>Cart Deck</computeroutput> mode,
	the following additional options are available:
      </para>
      <variablelist>
	<varlistentry>
	  <term><computeroutput>Play Mode</computeroutput></term>
	  <listitem>
	    <para>
	      When set to <computeroutput>Full Cart</computeroutput>,
	      the slot will play audio from the Start marker to the End
	      Marker of cuts (as set in RDLibrary).
	    </para>
	    <para>
	      When set to <computeroutput>Hook</computeroutput>, the slot
	      will play audio from the HookStart marker to the HookEnd marker
	      of cuts.
	    </para>
	  </listitem>
	</varlistentry>
	<varlistentry>
	  <term><computeroutput>At Playout End</computeroutput></term>
	  <listitem>
	    <para>
	      When set to <computeroutput>Unload Slot</computeroutput>,
	      the slot will automatically unload when play-out reaches its
	      end.
	    </para>
	    <para>
	      When set to <computeroutput>Recue to Start</computeroutput>,
	      the slot will retain the previously loaded cart when play-out
	      reaches its end. Touching the
	      numbered start button will cause play-out to be repeated.
	    </para>
	    <para>
	      When set to
	      <computeroutput>Restart Playout (Loop></computeroutput>, the
	      the slot will retain the previously loaded cart and automatally
	      repeat play-out from the begining when play-out reaches its
	      end.
	    </para>
	  </listitem>
	</varlistentry>
      </variablelist>
    </sect2>
  </sect1>
  <sect1 xml:id="sect.rdcartslots.operation_in_cart_deck_mode">
    <title>Operation in Cart Deck Mode</title>
    <para>
      When set to be in <computeroutput>Cart Deck</computeroutput> mode,
      an empty slot can be loaded by touching the
      <computeroutput>Load</computeroutput> button, bringing up the
      Select Cart dialog.
    </para>
    <mediaobject>
      <imageobject>
	<imagedata align="center" fileref="rdcartslots.select_cart_dialog.png" scale="60"/>
      </imageobject>
      <caption>
	<para>The Select Cart Dialog</para>
      </caption>
    </mediaobject>
    <para>
      To load a cart, touch the desired cart on the list (using the filter
      tools as necessary) and then touch the <computeroutput>OK</computeroutput>
      button. To load a file directly, touch the
      <computeroutput>Load From File</computeroutput> button and select
      the desired audio file. Touching <computeroutput>Cancel</computeroutput>
      will abandon the load operation.
    </para>
    <para>
      After loading a cart or file, the <computeroutput>Load</computeroutput>
      button will change to say <computeroutput>Unload</computeroutput>.
      Touching this button will now cause the slot to be unloaded.
    </para>
    <para>
      To start play-out of a loaded slot, touch its numbered button at the
      left-hand end. The button will turn RED and the play-out will start.
      Touching the button while the play-out is active will stop the
      play-out and cause the loaded cart to be re-cued to its start.
    </para>
  </sect1>
  <sect1 xml:id="sect.rdcartslots.operation_in_breakaway_mode">
    <title>Operation in Breakaway Mode</title>
    <para>
      When set to be in <computeroutput>Breakaway</computeroutput> mode,
      an empty slot can be loaded by touching the
      <computeroutput>Load</computeroutput> button, bringing up the
      Rivendell Services dialog.
    </para>
    <mediaobject>
      <imageobject>
	<imagedata align="center" fileref="rdcartslots.rivendell_services_dialog.png" scale="60"/>
      </imageobject>
      <caption>
	<para>The Rivendell Services Dialog</para>
      </caption>
    </mediaobject>
    <para>
      Touch the desired Rivendell service on ths list, then touch the
      <computeroutput>OK</computeroutput> button.
    </para>
  </sect1>
</chapter>